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Contrary to standard pro-gun rhetoric, I do not come from the "far left". I happen to own a BB gun, a 22, a shotgun and a high-powered hunting rifle. And I have no worry that they will ever be taken away from me.

I am not happy with the proliferation of handguns in our country, but I have come to accept that this is not something that will be limited. I am appalled at the belief that the answer to our murder, violent crime and safety issue is to arm everyone. That the NRA's response to this latest shooting was "the only answer to a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun" makes me shake my head in disbelief.

Since the Aurora theater shooting, I've frequently read the standard party line that should there have been armed good guys in the theater, they would have taken out the bad guy and saved lives. Good luck with that.

It is a fact that in threatening situations trained police don't even hit their target over 60 percent of the time. How accurate are all of the Wyatt Earps of the world going to be when they get the opportunity (they are waiting for) to be the hero? Not very.

Let's be reasonable and do something about automatic weapons, large capacity magazines and loopholes in the gun show and gun laws. Let's do what we can to improve mental health care. Let's study the impact of violent video games and movies. And let's try to individually contribute to a more civil society.